Morel-Lavallée lesion associated with pelvic/hip trauma is best described as:

• A Avulsion fracture of the anterior superior iliac spine
• B A closed degloving injury with seroma/hematoma between superficial fascia and deep fascia ✓
• C Subperiosteal hematoma of the ilium following direct impact
• D Avulsion of the rectus femoris from the anterior inferior iliac spine

Explanation

Morel-Lavallée lesion is a closed internal degloving injury in which shearing forces separate the skin and subcutaneous tissue from the underlying deep fascia, creating a potential space filled with blood, lymph, and liquefied fat. It most commonly occurs over the greater trochanter, lateral thigh, and lumbodorsal region. MRI is the gold standard — showing a well-defined fluid collection between the subcutaneous fat and deep fascia. The lesion must be evacuated (aspiration or surgical drainage) before internal fixation to reduce infection and wound complication risk. Leaving it untreated risks pseudocyst formation and periprosthetic infection.

Reference: Maheshwari Essential Orthopaedics, 6th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.